The unannounced load shedding has paralysed activities of small business in the city rendering them hand to mouth. Small owners of business including photostat, lathe machine, tailors, dry cleaners, photo studios, net cafes etc have been suffering huge losses due to unannounced load shedding by Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC)
Talking to Business Recorder, a lathe machine owner Murad Ali said that due to unannounced power breakdown has hampered our business. A photostat shop owner Naveed Ahmed said: "we are not in a position to pay even rent of our shops" due to intermittent power failures. He said that those who were using generators charging Rs 2 per photocopy instead of one Re. They alleged that KESC deliberately switching off power units to conserve fuel. Power consumption has already dropped many times as residential and commercial use of air conditioners, fans etc has been reduced owing clod weather.
They demanded that the government must conduct inquiry about switching off power units deliberately and if it is found correct strict action must be taken against KESC higher-ups. They also criticised government and said that oil prices have dipped considerably but the government is not prepared to reduce power tariff. The government wants to pass on oil prices benefits to multimillion owners of KESC and not the power consumers, they maintained.